Most of the media pays attention to the radio, television and now internet ads during the elections. But as I've mentioned before, "direct mail" advertising still plays a huge role in US political campaigns. The National Rifle Association is sending out a flier to voters on their mailing list attacking Barack Obama's record on gun control.

Most direct mail campaigns fly under the radar. The media focuses on the air war in part because it's easy. The campaigns send press releases promoting the ads, hoping to get the media to give them free air time. Direct mail is almost like the analogue version of a chain e-mail, and unless you're in the chain (on the mailing list), you don't see it.

I mentioned the role of direct mail to a friend here in Washington, and she said that the National Rifle Association has sent her a mailer claiming that Barack Obama would take away Americans' guns if he was elected president. She had gone to a shooting range and got on the NRA mailing list. The flier said that Obama has supported a "total ban on handguns" and a "ban on the sale or transfer of all semi-auto firearms", and the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action has a website set up to expand on the flier.

FactCheck.org does keep tabs on some direct mail, and I'm going to keep my eye out not only for direct mail but also campaign fliers left on cars as we drive across the United States. But it's a big task, especially with all the driving we'll be doing. If you get received some direct mail or seen a flier, take a picture and drop me an e-mail or post a link.